A Record of a Glass | Episode 73: Daishinshu Betsugakoi Junmai Ginjo Bangai-hin Nama (Matsumoto, Nagano)

Trace the land through a single glass of sake.

Matsumoto, Nagano.
The underflow water of the Northern Alps
flows in quietly.

Daishinshu Shuzo has
designed its sake
with that water as its core.

It does not rely on aroma.
It captures the quality of the water
into the form of sake.

"Betsugakoi" is a chosen single barrel.
Without blending,
it brings out the individuality of that tank alone.

It is not about flashiness.
A meticulous accumulation
creates a soft expansion.

Now, to the main point.

The initial aroma is soft.
Like a freshly picked apple,
a fresh, vibrant scent.

When taken into the mouth,
a fresh sweetness
gently unfolds.

It is sweet.
Yet, not too sweet.

The sweetness, holding umami,
quietly permeates
every single cell.

There is a brilliance to it.
Yet, it is not excessive.

A perfect density.
The flavor
has a deep depth.

It is light.
And yet,
it is by no means thin.

The finish continues, endlessly gentle.
Before I knew it, the cup was empty.

—— It is opening up.

The expansion of the contour

I record this glass here
as a flavor like that.